TubaEvolution

eChurch

Tonight was Monday night bible study at church. The lack of desire to go outside combined with two aching backs made staying at home all the more appealing. My wonderful husband brought Chinese take-out home and we set up our computers, bibles, and notebooks at the table and brought up the website.

How amazing technology is. Here we sit, tuning into an internet channel, watching our church's bible study via live video feed.




Thought for the day: Adam and Eve had the perfect marriage. Eve didn't have to hear about all of Adam's old girlfriends, and Eve didn't have to hear Adam brag what a great cook his mother was.

Parade Riding

Today was Citrus Heights' 10th annual Red White and Blue Parade. I arrived at the staging area around 7:30am with my Tuba and a Red Bull in hand, with a back-up bottle of water for rehydration after my caffeine routine. I had slathered on the clear zinc oxide, donned the sunglasses and bought a hat. I brought my music in sheet protectors and had a plexiglass sheet for good measure. I was prepared.

I knew it would be hot (weather reports were for a high of 105), but I wasn't prepared for how long we would be waiting in the sun sitting on the flatbed of a trailer, being pulled by the band director's son. My back was being roasted by the early morning sun and the glare from my massive, heat-absorbing, sun-reflecting instrument made sure that my front side wasn't left out.

We were staged in the middle of the parade, but it became apparent that wasn't our spot as the multitudes of floats, cheerleading dancers, and the gaggle of Star Wars look-a-likes passed us. Once we finally started moving I realized we were last. Dead last. Well second to last if you count the City's Sanitation truck that was behind us making sure that there were no missed horse piles.

I was reminded while we were riding in that truck (not marching as a band usually does in a parade, but riding sitting down with music stands), that I love playing tuba. Not just that I love playing an instrument or making music, which of course is also true. But I REALLY love playing the tuba. I love the deep resonating sound. I love being the foundation of the band. I even love the looks of awe and wonder at the sight of a girl tuba player. It's not enough that I get weird looks when people realize that I play the tuba, but it's compounded by the reactions that I'm a girl.

I've survived nearly my whole life hearing the comments of: "Wow, that thing is nearly as big as you are" and "Isn't that thing heavy?", "Hey look! That's a chic!" Then there's, "Don't see many girl tuba players" is one of my personal favorites. I even have learned to shrug off the occasional "You must have a lot of wind to play that" off-handed insult. To which I have learned to reply with, "well, I have been told I talk alot".

Welcome to My Madhouse

Welcome to my blog; My Mouthpiece. This blog will be a hodge-podge of my thoughts, views and beliefs organized into a completely unrelated series of posts. I have decided to set up a few rules in the beginning to avoid any confusion.

1) This is my blog. I get to make the rules. If you don't like what I have to say, make your own blog to complain about it.
2) I will not make fun of ethnic groups, religious affiliations or political viewpoints. (The exceptions to this rule are: Cavemen: Geiko has successfully found a group that everyone can make fun of with no chance of repercussions unless we have a real-life Encino Man. Barbara Boxer- because I can. [see rule #1] )
3) I will do my best not to be rude, crass, or demeaning and expect all comments to adhere to this rule as well.
4) There will be no swearing. I will keep my posts PG. You may do the same.
5) I will encourage and welcome differing views, intelligent conversation and friendly debate. I will not put up with childish rants and name calling.

These rules are subject to change at anytime without notice.


This blog will be my mouthpiece for voicing those posts to the world, or at least anyone bored enough to read it.